More first round action of the Middlesex County Series took place on Saturday at Western Fair Raceway and once again the favourites enjoyed the spotlight
Favourite Just One Day, with Ross Battin in the bike, was a wire-to-wire winner in 2:04.3 to kick off the action. The three-year-old Earl-Just One Night filly was six and three-quarter lengths the best in the first of three $9,000 Middlesex County Trotting Series divisions for fillies and mares. C H Meadow Gal (Nick Henry) and Amigo Jill (Dan Clemmer) finished second and third. Unraced at two, Just One Day has won half of her 12 earning $24,090 for trainer David Holliday and owner/breeder Graham Jackson of Listowel, Ont.
Early Bird was also a front-stepping favourite, who won the next split in 2:03.4 for driver Anthony Haughan and trainer John Holmes. Warrawee Jet (John Muir) finished three-quarters of a length behind and Princess Leah (Nick Steward) was third. The four-year-old daughter of Earl-Grand Snoopy, who is owned by David Holmes and Vince Gallucci of Brantford, Ont., won for the second time in four starts lifting her earnings to $8,606.
The front-end continued to hold up for the odds-on Another Vixen and trainer/driver Shane Weber. The three-year-old daughter of Kadabra-Armbro Vixen won by four lengths in 2:03.3 over Beginish (Mike Whelan). Look Of Ability (Bruce Richardson) managed to finished third despite making a break in late stretch. Another Vixen notched her third win in eight seasonal scores and bumped her earnings to $42,935 for co-owners Thomas and Elizabeth Rankin of St. Catharines, Ont.
The colts and geldings seemed to find a different route to the winner’s circle in their three $9,000 Middlesex County Pacing Series divisions.
Fit For Will and driver Halvin Hamilton, the 2-1 second choice, survived a first-over journey to score by two lengths in 2:00.2 over favourite Hrubys N Luck (Trevor Henry). Josedale Biscotti (Ross Battin) was third. The four-year-old son of Fit For Life-Ruby Raze is now three-for-11 with $20,330 in the bank for trainer/owner Brian Allen.
Favourite Questreos and driver Anthony Haughan also advanced first-up in his split and managed to hold off Warners Rambaran (Trevor Henry) by a neck to win in 2:00.2. Mr Consistency (Mike Whelan) finished third while pacesetter Siula Grande Kir (Nick Steward) faded to fourth. The Astreos-Camquest four-year-old, who has won two of his nine races earning $12,285, is owned and trained by Michael Kwietniowski.
Favourite Larjon Barty broke his maiden in the fastest division of the night for driver Trevor Henry and trainer Ron Kerr. The two-year-old son of Tuxedo Charlie-Absolute Knockout battled Ificamecan (Anthony Haughan) for the lead past the opening quarter and once in control, he paced away by nearly three lengths for the 1:58.4 triumph. Bounce Ahead (Jeff O’Brien) advanced first-over to get second with Its Yours (Mike Whelan) following for third. Jonathan Lane of Listowel, Ont. owns and bred the winner of $12,684.
The Middlesex Series is for Ontario-sired performers, four years of age and younger, who were non-winners of $10,000 in lifetime earnings as of September 15, 2009.
The second legs of the Series are scheduled for next weekend at Western Fair with the $50,000 finals set for Saturday, November 7.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click here.